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A raid by drug enforcement officials on the largest pharmaceutical importer in
Mexico five years ago resulted in the biggest cash seizure in history — and
exposed serious failures by Britain’s largest bank to prevent money
laundering, it emerged yesterday.

Zhenli Ye Gon was arrested on suspicion of selling chemicals to Mexican drug
cartels, including the notorious Sinaloa gang, for the illegal manufacture
of methamphetamines, which then were smuggled into the United States.

The raid on Mr Ye Gon’s home uncovered $205 million in cash hidden in a secret
locked room, as well as $17 million in Mexican pesos, firearms and